Leviticus 4:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 4:20 mean?

Leviticus 4:20 explains that the priest must handle this bull in the same way as the earlier sin offering, and by doing so, the priest will make atonement for the people so that they are forgiven. The verse highlights the process for dealing with unintentional sins among the Israelites, showing that forgiveness is possible through the prescribed sacrifice.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests about what to do when the whole community of Israel sins by mistake. The priest acts on behalf of the people, following a careful ritual with the bull, which is called a "sin offering." The main idea is that the priest’s actions—done exactly as God commands—bring about forgiveness for the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 4:20

• do (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word appears several times and means "to do" or "to make." It shows the importance of the priest following the exact steps laid out for the offering, not improvising or skipping details.
• bullock (פַּר, par): This is the specific animal used for the sin offering in this case. The choice of a bull reflects the seriousness of the sin when the whole community is involved.
• offering (חַטָּאָה, chatta’ah): This word means "sin" or "sin offering." It connects the animal sacrifice directly to the idea of dealing with sin.
• priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen): The priest is the one who performs the ritual, acting as a mediator between the people and God.
• atonement (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means "to cover" or "to make atonement." It suggests the idea of covering over the sin so that it no longer stands between the people and God.
• forgiven (סָלַח, salach): This word means "to forgive." It is a strong term, showing that the ritual truly results in the removal of guilt.

Why Leviticus 4:20 matters

• Leviticus 4:20 clarifies that forgiveness for unintentional sins was available to the entire community, not just individuals, through the priest’s faithful actions.
• The verse emphasizes that the ritual had to be done exactly as prescribed, highlighting the seriousness and orderliness of worship in ancient Israel.
• By showing that atonement and forgiveness were possible, this verse connects to the larger theme of Leviticus: God making a way for people to remain in relationship with Him, even when they fail.